The US PGA Championship concluded in dramatic fashion early on Monday, with Justin Thomas triumphing in a play-off against Will Zalatoris. Here’s some of the biggest takeaways from a memorable tournament at Southern Hills Country Club.
Thomas proves major credentials again - finally
We already knew Thomas was good. Elite, in fact. The American has spent time at world No 1, most likely in his mind all too briefly, had a major in the bag, and 15 PGA Tour victories overall – including the Players. Still, the solitary major, the PGA Championship in 2017, underwhelmed.
Thomas said as much pre-tournament, talking openly about how claiming a second major was harder than he imagined “internally”. Hence, coming from seven shots behind on Sunday – tying the largest 54-hole comeback to win in tournament history – spoke to not only Thomas’ mighty game, but his moxie.
The American, 29, is currently the best in the world with an iron in hand, evidenced throughout his final round, but his drive and approach under the gun on 18 truly underscored his titanic talent. Ditto the drives on 17 and 18 in the play-off. Thomas is a supreme artist, but he patently has the guts and the grit to go with it.
Ally that with adding vastly experienced caddie “Bones” MacKay on the bag, and it’s a heady mix, promising. Major wins can never be taken as a given, such is the current depth in the professional game. Thomas, though, should kick on even more now.
Zalatoris surely a major winner in waiting
Zalatoris has less than two full seasons on the PGA Tour banked, but already he is a major player. The spindly American, 25, may be yet to win on the game’s lead circuit, but his performances in the grandest events thus far make for remarkable reading.
Sunday’s runner-up finish to Thomas was Zalatoris’ fifth top 10 in his first eight major starts – as such, he is the first player to do so since four-time major winner Ernie Els, almost three decades ago. Last year, Zalatoris finished second on debut at the Masters, then was tied-6th there four weeks ago.
Clearly, the new world No 14 has saved his best for golf’s greatest tests, emphasising his comfort under the most glaring of spotlights. During the play-off on Sunday, Zalatoris displayed his impressive mettle, never appearing flustered despite the magnitude of the moment.
Statistically, he is one of the best ball-strikers in the sport at present; it’s just his putting – the technique is, admittedly, ghast-aloud stuff - that has ultimately proved his undoing. That said, statistically Zalatoris is not that far off with the flat-stick: he gained 1.17 strokes throughout the week at Southern Hills Country Club (his putts on 17 and 18 on Sunday were the definition of clutch). Add only a marginal gain in that, and Zalatoris could finally underline his explosive start in the majors with a trophy.
Pereira shows classes at darkest hour
Imagine the anguish. Mito Pereira had enjoyed a three-shot lead going into the final round, and then a one-shot advantage as he stood on the 72nd tee. The Chilean, who came into his second major appearance ranked 100th in the world, then squiffed his drive wide and into the water hazard on the right of the fairway. It led to a double-bogey, a drop from first to tied-third, and a mere watching brief for the ensuing play-off between Thomas and Zalatoris.
Of course, the drive marked the beginning of his downfall, a swing betraying how the nerves took hold as Pereira stood one hole from a historic victory (he was aiming to become the first South American to land the PGA Championship). The way his tournament panned out, and the pain of a hope extinguished, Pereira would have been forgiven for disappearing from view, eschewing any media en route to slumping off site.
But, to his infinite credit, he fronted up, even when not obligated to. In speaking live to television broadcasters CBS, Pereira explained his misfortune candidly and with a smile and the occasion laugh. It was a display as impressive as his week’s work at Southern Hills. He may not have departed Tulsa with the trophy, but his reputation as both a golfer and a person was enhanced considerably.
Woods' comeback uncertain following pullout
Friday’s superb rally, when he birdied two of the closing six holes to make the cut, was yet another example of Tiger Woods’ peerless resolve. The 15-time major champion was understandably feeling the strain, making only his second competitive appearance since a life-threatening car crash last year that almost claimed his right leg.
Then, following Saturday’s 9-over-par 79, Woods withdrew from the PGA Championship. Afterwards, long-time agent Mark Steinberg – Woods didn’t face the media – confirmed the recovery time had been too short between rounds, while the increasingly cooler temperatures in Tulsa, Oklahoma, exacerbated dramatically the pain.
Woods limped, literally, out of the season’s second major. When he will return to action remains a moot point. Right now, it seems that next month’s US Open might come too soon, especially since Brookline isn't really favourable for a battle-weary and evidently wounded 46-year-old.
Woods has often played through the pain barrier – sometimes appearing to revel in his reputation to do so – so to pull out at the weekend points to the level of suffering. At times, it was difficult to even watch. While never to be underestimated, and without knowing the full extent of the issue, at this juncture it feels plausible that Woods will sit out until the Open in July (after his astonishing return at last month's Masters, he targeted St Andrews). As ever, Woods will let the world know his next move only when he wants.
McIlroy misses out after bright start
Ah, what optimism Thursday did bring. Rory McIlroy has been a notoriously slow starter in majors since clinching the most recent of his four titles, back in 2014; throughout the past eight years, he has frequently shot himself out of contention by the end of the opened round.
Then at Southern Hills he posted a 65 to lead after 18 holes. And, then, in the most opportune scoring conditions on Friday, he failed to take advantage, carding a 71. After a 74 on Saturday that effectively ended his chances, McIlroy sparkled early in his final round, going 4-under through his first five holes. In the end, though, the former world No 1 had to settle for a tied-8th finish.
As it turned out, a level-par display from Friday to Sunday would have gotten McIlroy into the play-off. However, the wait for major No 5 rumbles on. So, following a runner-up at the Masters – the result of an incredible Sunday surge – should McIlroy be happy with his major return so far this season? Perhaps he should, but Southern Hills felt a turning point, only for the Northern Irishman to leave too much of a mountain to climb by not capitalising in Rounds 2 and 3.
In theory, and as many courses do considering McIlroy’s ability, Brookline suits his game and therefore next month provides another genuine chance at snapping his major wait. Although, putting it together for four rounds continues to be a conundrum McIlroy currently can’t solve.
